Ljubovija is an urban area of western Serbia in the Drina Valley. It is a town on the Ljubovidja river, at the mouth of the Drina river surrounded by hills Kik, Nemic and Krsino brdo. Ljubovija municipality is a hilly-mountainous area separated from the Republic of Srpska and Bratunac and Srebrenica municipalities by the Drina river in the length of 38 km. It covers an area of 365 km2 and borders the following municipalities: Bajina Basta, Valjevo, Osecina, Krupanj and Mali Zvornik. The population of the municipality is about 14 500 and the population of the Ljubovija municipality centre is about 4 000 people. Lubovija covers an area that has been inhabited since the prehistoric and ancient times which is evidenced by numerous archaeological sites. By the decree of Prince Milan Obrenovic on 3rd June 1871, Ljubovija became a town. The development of tourism in the Azbukovica region is directed towards the development of rural and religious tourism, sports and recreational (hunting, fishing, hiking, para-gliding, cycling) and recreational waterway or event tourism. Azbukovica region The Azbukovica is a region in western Serbia between the Drina river on one side and the mountains Sokolska planina and Povlen on the other side. The administrative centre of the region is Ljubovija town with the population of about 4 000 people. To live in the Azbukovica is an advantage because the people here are born in harmony with nature. The reason why people visit this region is the nature itself and the hospitality of its residents. The Drina river The Drina river, a paradise for fishermen and lovers of rafting, flows through Azbukovica region in the length of 38 km. The Drina river is formed by the union of the Piva and Tara rivers in Scepan Polje, beneath the Durmitor mountain range in Montenegro. The water of the Drina river belongs to the Black Sea basin. Its upper part has distinct characteristics of a mountain stream and its lower part, especially downstream of Loznica, it has characteristics of a lowland river. The Ljubovija municipality area is located in the middle part of the Drina basin. According to tradition, until the fifth century, due to its green colour the Drina was called “Zelenika” or “Zelenka”. Back in 1463 when the Turks led by Mehmed Fatih conquered the territory of today Bosnia and Herzegovina a horse drowned whilst crossing the Drina, to which the Sultan said: “Bu su derin” meaning “this water is deep”. Hence the word “derin” eventually became the name of the river - Drina. The unruly mountain river Drina, as seen from numerous vantage points resembles a thin green line cut into the massive canyon. Translucent clear, green water in the canyon is frightening and tamed in the valleys which attracts by the beauty of its banks and the richness of its water world. This is a right place for the lovers of nature and fishing. The Drina river has the highest quality of fish and this is probably still the only river with an extremely rare trout species (Hucho hucho). Adult samples of this trout flow from the Drina river to the Tresnjica river to spawn. Small and Big Town In a place Gornja Tresnjica there are the remains of a very old fort which period of the foundings is not known. A Small Town has irregular foundation adjusted to the terrian with a donjon oval tower. In some places its height is up to 7m. On the north elevation, very steep and difficult to access from any side, but with a good view of the valley Tresnjica, there are the ruins of the Big Town. The pottery findings in the Small Town belong to the Middle Ages. The remains of the town are located about 6km away from the Drina river on an old road that led from the villages The Tresnjica canyon of the Podrinje area to Valjevo. The Tresnjica river originates in the southwest side of the Povlen mountain at an altitude of 1185 m and flows into the Drina at the location known as Gornja Tresnjica at an altitude of 180 m. Extreme cliffs of the Tresnjica valley partially resemble a canyon. Its middle part flows through the picturesque canyon in the length of nearly 6 km which is cut into the surface 800 – 1 000 m high. The largest left tributaries of the Tresnjica river canyon are Susica and Tribuca. The Tribuca tributary is the richest in water, about 7 km long, originating under the Tornicka Bobija mountain. Its lower part separates the plateau Boskovac from the area Gornje Koslje thus building a nearly impenetrable gorge attractive for hikers. It is characteristic that the trout, known as the queen of the Drina, come to the Tresnjica canyon to spawn in the natural way. There is also a full pond system for the California trout on the Tresnjica river. The application of modern technology based on inserting the liquid oxygen into the water which tripled the annual production is unique in Serbia. The Tresnjica canyon is a natural resource of great importance which is under protection to preserve the habitat of the rare natural population of griffon vulture. One of the most beautiful canyons is a habitat of 25 pairs of the griffon vulture which still resides only in the Uvac canyon. This is the largest bird of prey in this area fed only by the remains of dead animals and due to its great sanitary role it is called an “emperor of height and the cleaner of nature”. The griffon vulture is an endangered species threatened with extinction and the environmentalists are doing everything on preventing that. The female lays only one egg during a year and for this reason it is extremely hard to protect and preserve it from extinction. Bobija mountain At about 25 km from Ljubovija municipality rises an impressive mountain Bobija, the highest peak Tornicka Bobija is 1272 m above the sea level. The mountain is very rich in fresh drinking water. The most famous spring is called Dobra voda (good water). Due to the diversity of terrain, flora and fauna, the area is perfect for hunters, hikers and picnickers. All trails are marked for hikers. A small building of “Srbijasume”, a public enterprise for forest management, and a wooden church “Dobre vode” are also located on the mountain. The canyons of the rivers Tribuca, Tresnjica and Susice are nearby too. Roman bridge It is situated on the Ljubovidja river, dates back to the Roman period. The present bridge is from the Turkish period. Though built in the Roman times it still serves its purpose. The bridge was built in the form of arc, it was made of stone, and the molten lead taken from a nearby mine was used instead of mortar. The Roman bridge, also known as “Latin bridge”, was built on a former caravan route to Valjevo, in untouched nature surrounding on the clean Ljubovidja river. The Mackov kamen Mountain Height It is located on the mountain Jagodnja. It was a bloody scene of the fighting between Serbian and Austrian armies in the First World War in 1914. The crypt was built in this place in honour of the veterans in 1932. Around 2 000 soldiers were killed in this battle. In the memory of the victims each year in September the municipalities Ljubovija and Krupanj hold a memorial service and historical lesson which brings together a large number of people, war veterans, and the representatives of state, military and cultural organizations. Each year on the first Sunday after St. Peter’s Day there is a national fair for numerous citizens of neighbouring municipalities: Krupanj, Mali Zvornik, Osecina, Loznica. The Mackov kamen is a place suitable for winter sports like skiing. Well maintained ski trails and mini-ski lifts provide the opportunity to enjoy the beauties of winter time. Hunting and Fishing The Fishing Association of the General Organization of Sport Fishermen “Drina” was founded in 1951. There are three groups with around 400 members in the Association. The Drina river, which flows through the Azbukovica in the length of 38 km, is abiding with the presence of ichtyofauna: pike, barbel, trout, catfish, and in a great number there can be found some carp, chub and vimba. Trout come to the Tresnjica river to spawn during the late April and the members of the Association are engaged to restock the rivers and preserve the existing fish stock. The Hunting Association “Mileta Polic – Bata” This Hunting Association was founded on 1st December 1900 in Ljubovija. It manages the hunting area “Bukovica” of about 35 624 ha. It lies along the Drina river in the length of 35 km on one side and the mountain ranges like Bobija, Medvednik, Jablanik, Mackov kamen and Rozanj on the other side. There are numerous deeply carved waterways in this area between which the steep and almost vertical rock valley and ravines rise and canyon like craters, only to mention the canyon of the rivers Tresnjica and Trivuca with the special nature reserve and the northernmost colony of griffon vulture. The following species live in the hunting area “Bukovica”: deer, wild boar, rabbit, pheasant, partridge. Besides these wild species, the hunting area is the residence of a considerable number of birds, permanently protected, rare or endangered species like: otter, bear, ermine, weasel, several species of hawks and eagles, and some other species which are not protected. The hunting area “Bukovica” has excellent conditions for hunting tourism, summer season for deer hunting and winter season for wild boar hunting. Sports and Recreation Fans of rafting, fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, para-gliding and walking can all enjoy in numerous opportunities of this natural beauty and tranquility in Azbukovica region.